About

Anyone who believes that an educational institution receiving federal financial assistance has discriminated against someone based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age may file a complaint with the Office for Civil Rights (OCR). The person or organization filing the complaint doesn't need to be a victim of the alleged discrimination but may complain on behalf of another person or group.

The mission of OCR is to ensure equal access to education and to promote educational excellence throughout the nation through vigorous enforcement of civil rights.

OCR's role is to be a neutral fact-finder and to resolve complaints promptly. OCR has a variety of options for resolving complaints, including facilitated resolutions and investigations. OCR does not act as an advocate for either party during the process.

Complaints can be filed using the online complaint form. Additional information about filing a complaint can be found here. 

The OCR office for Iowa is located at:
Chicago Office for Civil Rights U.S. Department of Education
John C. Kluczynski Federal Building 230 Dearborn Street, 37th Floor
Chicago, IL, 60604

Telephone: 312-730-1560
TDD: 800-877-8339
FAX: 312-730-1576
Email: OCR.Chicago@ed.gov

A complaint must be filed within 180 calendar days of the date of the alleged discrimination unless the time for filing is extended by OCR for good cause.

Prior to filing a complaint with OCR against an institution, you may want to find out about the institution's grievance process and use that process to have the complaint resolved. However, you're not required by law to use the institutional grievance process before filing a complaint with OCR. If you use an institutional grievance process and also choose to file the complaint with OCR, the complaint must be filed with OCR within 60 days after completion of the institutional grievance process.

You should let the OCR know which school, college, or other institution you are complaining about; the person(s) who has been discriminated against; when the discrimination occurred; and you should sign and date the letter and let OCR know how you can be reached by phone and letter so that OCR can contact you. If filing online, you will still need to provide an original signature by mail, which may be done by printing and mailing a "Consent Form" linked from the bottom of the online complaint form.

OCR will promptly acknowledge receiving your complaint and will contact you by letter or telephone to let you know whether it will proceed further with your complaint.

OCR evaluates each complaint that it receives in order to determine whether it can investigate the complaint. A comprehensive overview of its complaint processing procedures can be found on its website.

Source: U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights

Title IX Coordinator

  • Monique DiCarlo

Deputy Title IX Coordinators

  • Lyla Clerry
  • Sara Feldmann

 

Response Coordinators

  • Monique DiCarlo
  • Sara Feldmann
  • Waldemar Rodriguez

Advisors

  • Kristal Gibson
  • Krista Kronstein
  • Kristin Parks
  • Steve Wehling

 

Adaptable Resolution Facilitators

  • Monique DiCarlo
  • Sara Feldmann
  • Waldemar Rodriguez
  • Steve Wehling

 

Investigators

  • Lauren Camp
  • Kristal Gibson
  • Krista Kronstein
  • Waldemar Rodriguez
  • Breno Silvestrini Rodrigues
  • Tiffini Stevenson Earl
  • Steve Wehling
  • Julian West

 

Hearing Facilitators

  • Monique DiCarlo
  • Sara Feldmann
  • Bianca Esquivel

 

Hearing Adjudicators

  • Kristal Gibson
  • Kristin Parks
  • Meredith Rich-Chappelle

 

Appeal Officers

  • Sarah Hansen
  • Tanya Uden-Holman
  • Amanda Thein
  • Jan Waterhouse
  • And others, as assigned

It is critically important that individuals responding to reports and resolving complaints of potential violations of university policies are well-trained. The University of Iowa is dedicated to ensuring that members of the Title IX Grievance Process Pool, including investigators, adjudicators, adaptable resolution facilitators, appeal officers, and OCRC response coordinators understand their role and requirements under federal law (Title IX, Title VII, VAWA, etc.) as well as best practice.

Title IX & Sexual Harassment Response (Husch Blackwell)

Investigative Interviewing Techniques: General Principles, Adapting for Trauma, and Mitigating Bias (EEOC Training Institute)

Decision Makers: Best Practices and Challenges

Rationale Writing for Decision-Makers and Investigators (ATIXA)

Investigation Report Writing (ATIXA)

Civil Rights Investigator Level I: Foundations

Civil Rights Investigator Level II: Advanced

Civil Rights Investigator Level III: Practical Skills\

Civil Rights Investigator Level IV